Greek silversmith Sotirios Voulgaris arrived in Rome in 1881 and set up his own shop there in 1884, calling it Bulgari, an Italianization of his last name (in the brand's logo, it's styled BVLGARI, using the classical Latin alphabet in a nod to ancient Roman culture). In 1905, he opened the company’s flagship boutique on Rome’s Via dei Condotti. Since then, Bulgari has looked to Rome as a source of reference for its fanciful and decidedly romantic designs for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other accessories.
Although the iconic jewelry house found success with its silverwork and Art Deco designs, popular through the 1920s, Bulgari’s signature style — bold, often using yellow gold embellished with big colorful gemstones — began to emerge when Sotirios’s sons inherited the business, in 1932.
The brand truly hit its stride in the dolce vita era of the 1950s and ’60s, when the founder’s grandsons Paolo, Gianni and Nicola Bulgari decisively departed from demure traditional styles to develop the house’s exuberant multi-gem looks, attracting celebrity collectors like Elizabeth Taylor.
In the 1940s, Bulgari debuted perhaps its most famous design, the Serpenti bracelet watch. The piece’s snakelike coils were made possible by the tubogas jewelry technique, which links a flexible series of thin horizontal bands. Both the sleek, modern tubogas construction and the sinuous snake motif continue to be synonymous with the Bulgari brand.
On 1stDibs, the collection of vintage Bulgari jewelry includes rings, pendant necklaces, watches and other accessories.
An 18k Gold Bulgari Celtaura Ribbed Bangle
By Bulgari
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A flexible, heavy 18-karat yellow gold bracelet with semi circular ribs all around that taper in size. Signed: Bulgari, model: Celtaura, Italy. weight: 86.55 g internal dimensions: ...
18k Gold
An 18k Gold Cartier Bangle
By Cartier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18k gold bracelet signed, numbered and dated, Cartier, C57104, 1993. weight bracelet: 122 g width bracelet: 2.8 1-8 cm fits a wrist of 16-18 cm
18k Gold
An 18 carat gold Tronchetto Bulgari ring with diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold ring set with brilliant cut diamonds (app. 0.66 carats G-H, Vs, Signed: Bulgari, model: Tronchetto. weight: 9.09 g ring size: 17.75 mm / 7.5 US
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
An 18k Gold Boucheron Link Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A heavy 18 carat yellow gold link bracelet with half round and half faceted links, with an invisible and safety lock, signed: Boucheron Paris, with French assay mark for 18k gold and...
18k Gold
A Bi-Color 18k Gold Van Cleef & Arpels Bangle
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18k bi-color gold round torsed bangle, signed VCA for Van Cleef & Arpels and numbered: B 2196R78, France, circa 1980. weight: 36.37 g dimensions: 7 mm wide, ...
18k Gold
An 18k Gold Cartier Bamboo Bangle with Diamond
By Cartier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18-karat yellow gold flexible clasp bracelet in the shape of a bamboo branch curved around the arm, consisting of nine segments; the central segment is pavé-set with brilliant-cut...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Bvlgari Vintage Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet is a testament to timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this bracelet radiates a warm, rich glow...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Bvlgari Vintage Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet is a testament to timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this bracelet radiates a warm, rich glow...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Bvlgari Vintage Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet is a testament to timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this bracelet radiates a warm, rich glow...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Spiga Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Wrap Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Bvlgari Spiga Bracelet is a testament to opulence and timeless design. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this bracelet embodies the grandeur of the Roman tradition with its substantial ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Spiga Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Wrap Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Bvlgari Spiga Bracelet is a testament to opulence and timeless design. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this bracelet embodies the grandeur of the Roman tradition with its substantial ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari Spiga Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Wrap Cuff Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Bvlgari Spiga Bracelet is a testament to opulence and timeless design. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this bracelet embodies the grandeur of the Roman tradition with its substantial ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Jewelry historian Vanessa Cron combed 1stDibs and selected some dazzling pieces with timeless appeal.
From Elizabeth Taylor to Zendaya, the Serpenti has been the accessory of choice for generations of it girls.
